Mountaineers Finish Seventh at HCAC Men's Cross Country Championships

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. — The Berea College men's cross country team competed Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Championships, hosted by Manchester University. The Mountaineers finished seventh overall in the men's 8K race with 173 points.

Sophomore Desire Itwitaho led Berea with an impressive 17th-place finish, crossing the line in 26:22.5. Junior Taiki Ogawa followed in 31st place with a time of 27:02.3, giving the Mountaineers two runners inside the top 35.

Senior Austin Gatewood finished third for Berea, placing 78th overall in 29:36.9. Freshman Shane Mitchell-Cox followed in 94th place with a time of 30:50.3, while sophomore Ian Taylor rounded out the scoring five in 97th place, finishing in 31:11.9.

Freshman Noah Howard finished 107th overall in 33:57.1. Senior Andrew Bratcher followed in 108th place with a time of 34:26.9, while sophomore Jonah Purnell finished 109th in 35:56.1.

Rose-Hulman captured the men's team championship with 31 points, followed by host Manchester University with 47 points.

Berea Individual Results — Men's 8K

• Desire Itwitaho — 17th | 26:22.5

• Taiki Ogawa — 31st | 27:02.3

• Austin Gatewood — 78th | 29:36.9

• Shane Mitchell-Cox — 94th | 30:50.3

• Ian Taylor — 97th | 31:11.9

• Noah Howard — 107th | 33:57.1

• Andrew Bratcher — 108th | 34:26.9

• Jonah Purnell — 109th | 35:56.1

The Mountaineers will now turn their attention to the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Championships on November 14 in East Lansing, Michigan.